Objective: Gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) accounts for 75% of cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. In most cases of GT, thrombocytopenia is mild (100-150 × 109/L) and has no consequences for either the mother or the fetus. We aimed to investigate the characteristics, neonatal risk and recurrence rate of GT with a platelet count <100 × 109/L.
Study design: We reviewed the records of women who delivered during 2006-2016 at a large tertiary care university hospital, and who had platelet count <100 × 109/L during pregnancy.
Results: Of 97 pregnancies in which platelet count lower than 100 × 109/L was encountered, 66 (68%) were diagnosed as GT and 31 (32%) as new-onset immune-thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The proportions of women with onset of thrombocytopenia in early pregnancy (P = 0.004) and a lower maternal nadir platelet count (P = 0.01) were higher among those with new-onset ITP than GT. There was no difference in the rate of neonatal thrombocytopenia (<100 × 109/L) between those with newly diagnosed ITP and GT (16.1% vs. 10.6%, P = 0.51). Among women with GT, the rate of neonatal thrombocytopenia was higher in those who experienced antepartum bleeding (P = 0.009) and in whom the onset of thrombocytopenia was in early pregnancy (P = 0.002). Of 40 subsequent pregnancies, a recurrence of GT (<100 × 109/L) was encountered in 22 (55%), with similar maternal and perinatal outcomes compared to the initial pregnancy.
Conclusion: The risk of neonatal thrombocytopenia was substantial, with no difference found between those with GT and new-onset ITP. The recurrence rate of GT was high in subsequent pregnancies.
Keywords: Gestational thrombocytopenia; Immune thrombocytopenic purpura; Neonatal thrombocytopenia; Pregnancy; Recurrence.
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